Adjustable - sold dumbbells

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of the Adjustable-Solid Dumbbell having a hitch pin ( 20 ) which joins with dumbbell shaft ( 22 ). The assembly produces a preferred method of retaining add on weight plates (not shown) on a dumbbell shaft. The proposed dumbbell shaft having multiple holes enables the use of a selected number of add on weight plates. A dumbbell body is constructed in a way which attaches a specific weight. The Adjustable-Solid Dumbbells can be manufactured in different sizes to accommodate multiple weight ranges. Other embodiments are described and shown.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/881,204, filed Jan. 19, 2007 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the use of hitch pins (also known as hair pincotters) which are used to retain weight plates on a dumbbell shaft.

2. Prior Art

For many years, common methods of retaining weight plates to dumbbellshafts are known as collars. Bolt or t-bolt collars makes use of a boltto clamp through a collar body onto a dumbbell shaft. This type ofcollar can loosen while in use from the movement of the weight plates.

There after many types of adjustable dumbbells were designed in suchways of manually changing dumbbell weight. U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,144 toTowley and Olson (2000) describes a complex dumbbell assembly using manymachined parts which are prohibitively expensive to manufacturer. U.S.Pat. No. 6,416,446 to Krull (2002) discloses a dumbbell systemcomprising of an complex selector mechanism complicating themanufacturing process, thus raising cost.

Although the dumbbell handle and collar combination has been in use formany years, they produce a dumbbell assembly that is clumsy to use andmay not properly secure the weight plates.

Among the types of dumbbell collars proposed for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,603,680 to Larsen (1997) discloses a collar long in size producing adumbbell cumbersome to use. Although this method of retaining weightplates to is less complicated, it is limited to a certain size andlength of dumbbell shafts. This type of dumbbell collar is expensive tomanufacture. The heretofore known methods of adjusting dumbbells sufferfrom a number of disadvantages:

(a) Their manufacturing processes requires great tooling and machineoperations adding extra man hours and complicating production methods.

(b) The need to produce an excess number of parts requires additionalassembly hours.

(c) Complicated operating mechanism may not always engage or functionproperly minimizing user effectiveness.

(d) The excessive number of manufactured parts requires additionalfinish processes such as chrome or zinc plating or coatings.

(e) Increased machine, finish and assembly processes raises themanufacturing cost. Due to the competitive nature of these products,production must adhere to low manufacturing cost to enable anycommercial value.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a adjustable solid dumbbell comprisesa dumbbell shaft having drilled holes accepting a hitch pin (hair pincotters) to retain weight plates.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number butdifferent alphabetic suffixes.

FIGS. 1A to 1B shows a dumbbell handle and large washer in accordancewith each embodiment.

FIGS. 2A to 2B shows a dumbbell shaft in accordance with an interactinghitch pin (hair pin cotter).

FIGS. 3A to 3B shows a dumbbell weight plate side view in accordancewith an steel assembly ring.

FIG. 4 shows an complete Adjustable-Solid Dumbbell assembled.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Hole 12 Washer 14 Handle 16 Flange 18 Hole 20 Hitch Pin 22 Shaft 24Hole 26 Steel Ring 28 Hole 30 Weight Plate 32 Counter Bore 34 Hole

Detailed Description—FIG. 4—Preferred Embodiment

One embodiment of the Adjustable-Solid Dumbbell is illustrated in FIG.4. The dumbbell illustrated consists of eight parts. A handle 14 has aknurled body with two flanges 16 permanently attached producing anweldment. The size of the handle will vary in accordance to thespecified dumbbell size. Two large washers 12 are shown and are used tofine tune the size and weight of the intended dumbbell. Weight plates 30are placed and will vary in size in accordance with a specified dumbbellweight. The weight plate hole 34 (FIG. 3) is countered bored 32 (FIG. 3)at the outer side of plate to accept a steal assembly ring 26 (FIG. 3) Adumbbell shaft 22 is shown having drilled holes to accept a hitch pin 20FIG. (2A). The shaft size will vary in accordance with a specifieddumbbell size. The dumbbell shaft 22 passes through all parts. The stealassembly ring 26 (FIG. 3) is placed last on the assembly at the outersides of the weight plates 30 then inserted in the counter bore hole 32(FIG. 3) then welded to the dumbbell shaft producing a weldmentcompleting a Adjustable-Solid Dumbbell.

Operation—FIGS. 2A, 4

The manner of using Adjustable-Solid Dumbbells given procedure ofretaining add on plates (not shown) enables the use of a hitch pin 20(FIG. 2A) (hair pin cotter). As shown in FIG. 4, multiple holes 24enables the positioning of hitch pin 20 (FIG. 2A) in differentlocations. Add on weight plates are assembled onto the dumbbell shaft 22(FIG. 4) aligning with coordinated holes 24 (FIG. 4). Retaining multipleadd on weight plates enables a user to adjust dumbbell weight through agiven range. Hitch pin 20 (FIG. 2A) is inserted by hand into holes 24(FIG. 4). Pin retention is caused by a spring like action built into thehitch pin 20 (FIG. 2A). Adjustable-Solid Dumbbells are manufactured inmultiple dumbbell weights. Dumbbells then can be used within a specifieddumbbell weight range, for example, a 25 lb. Adjustable-Solid Dumbbellcan be adjusted to 45 pounds using multiple weight plates.

Advantages

From the description herein, advantages derive from the embodiments ofmy Adjustable-Solid Dumbbells and are evident.

a) The method of changing and retaining weight plates are simplified,creating a user friendly adjustable dumbbell.

b) The use of hitch pins (hair pin cotters) to retain weight plates,produces a very secure method of retaining add on weight plates.

c) Adjusting the dumbbells does not require the need to move largeweight plates.

d) Cast iron weight plates can be used for the bulk of the weight,minimizing machine operations.

e) Less time and parts are required in the manufacturing process thusreducing cost.

f) Minimal dumbbell pairs are needed to obtain large dumbbell weightranges.

Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that the Adjustable-Solid Dumbbellsvarious embodiments provide effectiveness and efficient uses of thesedumbbells while engaging in weight lifting. In addition to the uses,Adjustable-Solid Dumbbells will provide good value and a very durableproduct. Furthermore, dumbbells have additional advantages in that

they permit quick production requiring less man power to produce.

they provide large knurled handles for good gripping.

they can be used in both home and commercial applications.

they provide immediate weight plate change.

they have only one moving part, wear is extremely minimal.

they do not require complicated or cumbersome collars.

The description above contains many specifications, however it shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merelyproviding figures and illustrations of some of the proposed embodiments.For example, the dumbbell handle can have different shapes such ashaving a taper or a varying grip size etc.

Thus the scope of the embodiment needs to be established by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather then by the examples given.

1. An adjustable solid dumbbell of the type comprising a shaft havingmultiple holes located near shaft ends for the purpose of acceptinghitch pins, also known as hair pin cotters.
 2. The adjustable soliddumbbell of claim 1 wherein said body of material is composed of steeland cast iron.
 3. The adjustable solid dumbbell of claim 1 wherein saidshaft is adjacent to weight plates giving said dumbbell a predeterminedweight.
 4. The adjustable solid dumbbell of claim 1 wherein saiddumbbell possesses a handle affixed to said shaft.
 5. The adjustablesolid dumbbell of claim 4 having said handle is adjacent to largewashers located between handle flanges and weight plates.
 6. Theadjustable solid dumbbell of claim 4 wherein said handle is knurled,producing a textured finish.
 7. The adjustable solid dumbbell of claim 3having said weight plates are machined producing a hole accepting anassembly ring.
 8. The adjustable solid dumbbell of claim 7 wherein saidring is composed of steel.
 9. The adjustable solid dumbbell of claim 7wherein said ring is properly machined to closely fit the finishedassembly.
 10. The adjustable solid dumbbell of claim 7 wherein said ringattaches last on both ends and completes dumbbell assembly.
 11. Anadjustable solid dumbbell of the type comprising a shaft having multipleholes located near shaft ends for the purpose of accepting hitch pins,also known as hair pin cotters, characterized in that the said hitch pinis used for the purpose of retaining add on weight plates.
 12. Theadjustable solid dumbbell of claim 11 wherein said hitch pin comprises awire type body.
 13. The adjustable solid dumbbell of claim 11 whereinsaid hitch pin is manufactured in a way of producing a spring likeaction for the purpose of self retention once installed on dumbbellassembly.
 14. The adjustable solid dumbbell of claim 11 characterizesthe use of add on weight plates. Add on weight plates are used inconjunction with adjustable solid dumbbells producing multiple weights.